Clamp



Sept. 7, 1943. J, M, LAVIN CLAMP Filed Feb 14/1942 Fig 5.

INVENTOR John M Lavz'n.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 7, 1943 UNlTED STATES PATENT @FHQLE CLAMP I v John Michael Lavin, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor toTwentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of. New York 4, 194 2, No. 430,969 s Claims. (01. 24-4554) Application February 1 This invention relates to clamps and one of its principal objectsis the provision of a hinged clamp whereby one I of the sections may be mounted on an object and the other section will automatically swing to an open, out of the way position when the clamp is not in use. The invention has been designed primarily for use in clamping platforms or the like onto the tops of steel 'scafioldings. In handling and mounting platforms of this nature it was found advisable to mount the clamps directly upon the platforms so that each platform would have its normal number of clamps intact when carried to the top of the scafiolding for mounting. Also, it was found preferable to use a clamp that was a complete unit ready f or use at all tirns and one that would be out of the way when the platforms were handied orpiled up for moving and storing. The clamp embodied in this invention has been designed and built to meet these specifications. However, it is not my intention to limit the invention to this specific use, since the clamp may find usefulness in other fields.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceedsin conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary section of a platform showing my clamp mounted thereon in a clamping position;

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1, showing the clamp in an open position;

Figure 3 is a View of Figure 1 taken in the plane of the paper; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the top of a scaffolding showing how my clamp would be used to mount a platform thereon.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing how the bolt may be adjustably mounted in the free end of the clamp.

Referring to the drawing, it will be noted that I have shown my clamp as being mounted upon the apron ll of a platform P. The clamp itself consists of two sections generally designated l2 and I3. The section l2 may be formed with a stirrup M which may be suitably mounted upon the apron II in any manner such as by bolts l5. It may or it may not be mortised as desired. Extending from the stirrup I4 is the upper half of the clamp designated id. This is curved to fit a round object but can be formed in any shape desired. In the drawing I have shown this part, for purposes of illustration only, as being integral with the stirrup I4 and as having ribs l1 extending over to the stirrup M for strength. It need not, however, be made in this manner,

since any other equivalent construction will serve the purpose equally as well. I-Iingedly mounted upon the part 16 by means ofa pivot point :3 is the lower part of the clamp it. This part' of the clamp comprises a circular portion I9 which matches the circular portion of the upper half of the clamp. In conformancewith'the form of the upper part of the clamp, the lower part of the clamp is likewise ribbed and is formed with ribs 213. The ribs l7 and Eli form an ideal flange for working the pivot is between the two sections l2 and IS. The outer end of thesection 13 carries a hand bolt 2! which a reduced thread portion 22, said thread portion extending through a slot 23 in the outer end of the lower portion is (see Fig. 5). The bolt H is retained in the slot 23 by means of a retaining ring 24 which may be any suitable material such as a piece of leather screwed onto the screw threads, or a nut screwedup to form a loose fit and locked into position. Under this arrangement the bolt 21 is loosely mounted in the end of the hinged section 53 and'may 1 therefore be adjusted to fit into a screw threaded opening 25 in the lower part of the stirrup M. It is then merely a matter of turning the bolt 2! until the clamp is brought down into a clamping position.

As a means of holding the hinged section 13 in an out of the way position when not in use, I provide spring 25 and 2'! which are attached to the apron H in any suitable manner such as by screws 28. The other end of the springs are attached to the hinged member l3 at points 29 and til, respectively, below the hinged pivot Hi. It will be noted by referring to Figure 1 that when the hinged section i3 is in a clamping position that a line between the points 28 and 2.9 falls inside the pivot point E8. The spring 26 under this condition will tend to force the clamp closed. In Figure 2 it will be seen that when the section 13 is swung to an open position, a line connecting the points 28 and 3!] falls outside the pivot point E8, and springs'2l'. and 28 when in this position will hold the hinged section l3 above the apron of the platform and in an out of the way position. When held in this manner the platforms may be superposed one on the other, or handled in any way desired, since the clamp is no longer in evidence and will not interfere with the normal handling or piling of the platforms. It will also be noted that the clamp as shown in Figure 2 is a complete unit ready for instant use. Although I have shown two springs, one spring may be used if desired, the only requirement being that the spring must fall inside the pivot point when the clamp is closed and outside When the clamp is open.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated one particular use of the clamp. Here, all that can be observed of the clamp is the stirrup M and the hand bolt 2|. However, it is to be understood that the clamp is behind the apron ll of the platform P as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. It will be noted here that the end aprons H are recessed slightly as shown at 3| to receive pipe sections 32 which are part, of the scaffolding. The .pipe sections 4. A clamp comprising a fixed section adapted to be fixedly mounted on a platform or the like, a swinging section pivotally mounted on said fixed section, and spring means connecting said swinging section to a part of said platform and arranged to hold said swinging section in an out of the way position when not in use.

5. A clamp comprising a fixed section adapted to be fixedly mounted on a platform or the like, a swinging section pivotally mounted on said fixed section, and spring means connecting said extend completely underneath the platform P" and are engaged by the clamp itself. A platform arranged to hold said swinging section in an open mounted in this manner will not onlybe securely mounted and held in place but ,will give added ular use, nevertheless I do not wish to confine the invention to this one particular use, since it .is

obvious that other uses will-become apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1.. A clamp comprising two sectionshinged together, .means for fixedly mounting one of said sections on a platform or the like, and meansfor automatically holding the other of said sections in an out of the way position when not in use.

2. A clamp comprising two sections hinged together, means for fixedly mounting one of said sections on a platform or the like, and tension means connecting the other of said sections to a part of said platform for automatically holding said section in an out of the way position when not in use.

3. A clamp comprising two sections hinged togethenmeans for. fixedly mounting 'one of said sections on a platform or the like, said means having a screw threaded hole therein, a bolt adapted to be manually operated adjustably mounted in the free end of the other of said sections so that the bolt may be caused to enter said screw threaded hole when the said section is in a clamping position.

clamping position when not in use.

6. A clamp comprising two sections hinged together, means for fixedly mounting one of said sections on a platform or the like, and means for automatically holding the other of said sections in an out of the way position when not in use,

said last mentioned means including a pair of springs connecting the hinged section to a part of said platform at-spaced points thereon. V

'7. A clamp comprising two sections hinged to-Y gether, means for fixedly mounting one of said sections on a platform or th like-and means for, automatically holding the other. of saidiseci tions in an out of the way positionwh'en not in use, said last mentioned means including tension' means connecting said hinged: section to.

said platform in such a manner that the line of tension lies outside the hinge pintle when the clamp is not in use andinside said hinge'pintlewhen the clamp is in a clamping position.

a 8. A clamp comprisingtwo sections hinged to-. gether, means for fixedly mounting one of saidsections on a platform or the like, and spring means connecting said hinged section to said platform in such a manner that when the clamp is partially opened the spring means exert a force to fully open the clamp and hold the hinged.

member in an out-of-the-way position.

JOHN MICHAEL LAVIN-.' 

